The Way of God: Derech Hashem

by Moshe Chayim Luzzatto, Aryeh Kaplan (Translator)

Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato's (RaMChaL) Derech Hashem, is probably the most systematic exposition of Jewish fundamentals ever written, exploring Divine regulation of the world. This classic philosophical work explains our most basic beliefs regarding the existence of G-d and His purpose in creation, and goes on to present the concepts needed to understand all the other important teachings of Judaism. Translated into English by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, it was published in 1977. This extensively revised edition was published in 1997 with marginal notes by Rabbi Yosef Begun. Vowelized, facing Hebrew and English texts.

Genres: Judaism, Philosophy, Jewish, Judaica, Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality

443 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1981

About the author

Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (Hebrew: משה חיים לוצאטו, also Moses Chaim, Moses Hayyim, also Luzzato) (1707 in Padua – 16 May 1746 in Acre (26 Iyar 5506)), also known by the Hebrew acronym RaMCHaL (or RaMHaL, רמח"ל), was a prominent Italian Jewish rabbi, kabbalist, and philosopher.

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given that religious is generally taught in the order of rites>beliefs>philosophy, it is refreshing (and overwhelming) to read a book that begins with the question "What is G-d?" I'm only three chapters in, but I've already learned so much that I do not think it would be possible to write here everything that I learned. Maybe at some point I'll modify this review to try to explain the oneness of G-d, but I think it's probably more worthwhile to go read it yourself.

[Eli Mandel · Rating 2 out of 5]

It made for a good read but I kept asking myself "how does he know this?"

[Itai · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am working through this classic of Jewish philosophy a bit at a time. I actually own two copies, both in the original Hebrew without translation and one with extensive comentary (אור הדרך Ohr ha-Derech). (Feldheim published Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan z"l's tranlation 1997). The complete Hebrew text is also available online. http://www.daat.ac.il/daat/mahshevt/m...

"דרך ה Derech Hashem" was written by Moshe Chaim Luzzatto in the 1730s. He was an Italian rabbi, philosopher and kabbalist. When, at the young age of 20, he started having mystical experiences, the Italian rabbinical community became concerned. Things were just starting to quiet down after the Shabbtai Tsvi debacle. Hoping to head trouble off at the pass, the rabbis in Italy put the nix on Luzzatto teaching kabbalah or writing down his mystical experiences. He went to Amsterdam in 1735, hoping to find more elbow room. There, he wrote his classic text, "Messilat Yesharim" as well as "Derech Hashem." In Amsterdam, Luzzatto wrote, but didn't teach. He earned a living as a diamond cutter. In 1743, he moved to Akko עכו عاكا (then, under Ottoman control) and three years later, in 1746 died of the plague. 2007 marks 300 years since his birth in 1707.

From Wikipedia:
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Derech Hashem (The "Way of God"), written in the 1730s, is a philosophical classic text systematizing the basic principles of Jewish belief regarding the existence of God, God's purpose in Creation, and the logical consequence of other concepts in Judaism [...:]

Presented from an underlying Kabbalistic framework, yet presupposing no prior knowledge and without the use of Kabbalistic terminology, this work provides a foundation for understanding the worldview and ideas found in the Zohar, the writings of Rabbi Isaac Luria the Ari'zal and other Kabbalistic and Hassidic works.
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I often ask people what the books that have most influenced them or which they most cherish are. A number of people in the last year have named "Derech Hashem" as that book.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took forever to find, I ironically received this for Christmas from someone who had the good sense to order it. In a way, the prefatory materials were more informative than the text, helping to establish just how rare--and difficult--such a thing as systematic theology is. The theology itself is, as expected, fascinating, if sadly lacking much in the way of the micro-level in which I'm most interested (i.e. justice and vengeance, rape and property, etc.). Also, it's refreshing to see a work from the 18th century arguing that God works more or less like a strategy game designer.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 1st of three works that are considered by some a pathway to prophecy.
Discuses creation and its parts from a simple understandable kabalistic perspective but contains great truth and poetry.

[Ira Bauman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most books tell of a what a Jew should do. This one tells you what a Jew should think.

[Spencer Szwalbenest · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great encapsulation of a common traditional understanding of Jewish theology. As Aryeh Kaplan notes in the introduction to the Feldheim edition that I read, this work is notable in its systematic treatment of key Jewish ideas. While it at times is a bit short on arguments, it is quite successful in explaining key Jewish beliefs and showing how these beliefs relate to one another. The English provided in the Feldheim edition is not a literal translation, but rather a sentence-by-sentence translation. This is necessary because the book is written originally in a Hebrew from before the systematization of Modern Hebrew, which, when paired with the philosphical content of the text, can make for difficult reading. The translation is quite clear, however, and the copious notes do a good job at showing the biblical and rabbinic sources that Luzzatto uses to present his points.

The book is divided into four sections- the first being on the 'fundamentals' of God, humankind, and the spiritual realm, the second being on providence, the third on prophecy and the soul, and the fourth on the ways of serving God. The Feldheim edition is concluded with the author's own "An Essay on Fundamentals" which serves as a nice recapping of the key points of the book.

While my own theological views are more modern/liberal than those presented here, I find this book to be of great value to anyone interested in Judaism. Even where it reveals the errors of tradition, I applaud it for doing so clearly, and it provides much to chew on for anyone new to matters of Jewish theology.

My personal lowpoint in reading this book came early in section one, where Luzzatto runs into a paradox. While he writes that God relishes human freedom, he also laments that humankind is not completely free because of Adam's sin and subsequent fall. However, it would seem that God, who supposedly wishes for nothing more than that humankind should serve God freely, could easily either have prevented this fall or lifted humankind back to the previous state of freedom.

On the other hand, the fourth section was my favorite part of the text, providing explanations of various commandments in the Jewish tradition and how they affect our connection to God and the spiritual realm. Because of its connections to extant Jewish practices, I find this section the most relevant of the book, but it would not have the force that it does without the theological beliefs articulated in the first three sections.

Luzzatto's presentation offers a novel way to consider the wishes of the Divine for the world and humankind. Quite often throughout the book, Luzzatto explains a phenomenon of existence by saying something along the lines of 'because the Highest Wisdom saw it fit to do so'. Taking this explanation seriously, we might be encouraged to view the universe and Jewish mitzvot (commandments) not only as expressions of God's morals, but also of God's aesthetics. To live a pious life then is more than being moral, but being beautiful in God's eyes.

[Esther Kozakevich · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the most important books i ever have ever will read. Baruch Hashem

[Galina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent explanation of what is the purpose and reason for God's creation of a man. He explains what needs to be done for the World To Come. The Essays and Fundamentals in the end are great as well. It's one of those books you go back to as a reference and a guide to remind yourself, what is God's purpose for you! Very Deep!

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most systematic statement of traditional Jewish theology. Luzzatto (late 17th early 18th century) was a mystic, a playwright, and all around polymath. He was excommunicated in his native Padua as a closet Sabbatean. He settled in Amsterdam. This is one of his later works and is a systematic didactic treatise that covers the foundational principles of Jewish theology and contains man mystical nuggets worth the read.

[samuel stolper · Rating 2 out of 5]

Supposedly this is the book that lays real Judaism straight. It's anything but straight though. I'm told I have to read it with a Rabbi in order to understand it. But there are too many holes.

Still, angels and souls and prophecy and things.

[Matty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic fundamental info